America’s Next Top Model 8, Finale: Back To The Stone Age

Jaslene is up next and her commercial is great! The judges love that she added some Spanish, but Tyra didn’t like that she kept pausing. Her photo is pretty and Nigel says that her jaw line looks great this time. Tyra says that she feels Jaslene is nervous about being too commercial, and needs to work on that. She knows that Jaslene is more comfortable being high fashion.

Finally, we have Renee. The judges love her commercial and think she looks very humble in it, which is endearing. Nigel didn’t like that you couldn’t really see her eyes, but that’s his only complaint. When the judges look at her photo, they think she looks comfortable, but Tyra says that she really does look a little old, and Nigel isn’t sure what to make of it. Tyra says it’s sad to say it, but the industry won’t be kind to a girl they might feel looks too old. Time to deliberate, and this is what the judges have to say:

Twiggy thinks that Natasha could win and that she’s extraordinary looking. The designers aren’t sure, but Nigel assures them that she’s a quick study. Tyra says that Natasha touches he heart and deserves to be given a chance.

Jaslene is amazing and so pretty to Nigel. Twiggy likes that she has an edgy side and Tyra says that her photo looks a little high school, but knows that Jaslene has something inside her that can make her be fierce.

Twiggy is ga-ga over Renee and thinks that her commercial was great. Ms. J. feels that she is too mature for the whole thing and Nigel agrees. He thinks that he has seen her face before and doesn’t think it’s fresh. Tyra says that she has the height and body, but the other girls have the faces and the “oomph.” Twiggy acts like she has no clue who to send home.

The girls walk back into panel. Tyra says that she has three girls in front of her, but only two photos. The two girls that are called will head out to have their photos taken for Seventeen magazine and then will walk together in a fashion show the next night. The girl not called will pack her bags and head home.

The first girl called is… Jaslene! She’s a finalist, and says it feels so good. Tyra tells her that she worked hard for it. Renee and Natasha step forward, holding hands as if they are friends.

Tyra says that both girls are very different with their strengths and weaknesses. She says that Natasha has a smile all the time, and although she started shaky, she has gotten so much better. Her Cover Girl performance was weak, and that makes the judges nervous. Renee is strong, and wants to make her family life better. She has had some great photos, but the judges are worried about her photographing old. So who goes home? The girl with the bubbly personality or the girl that takes great photos?

Tyra gives the final photo to… Natasha! Natasha looks shocked, as does Jaslene on the side. Tyra says that Natasha was called because the judges see how she gets critiqued and then is amazing the next time they see her. She has the personality and the judges are rooting for her.

Renee hugs Tyra and is told that she came so far and to be proud. She hugs the other girls and tells Natasha to “Win it for the mamas.” Back at the apartment, Renee says that she is blown away that she is going home. She had the best photo and the best commercial, but apparently she photographs old, which isn’t good enough for the judges. She says she has wisdom in her head and knowledge in her eyes, and that’s enough for her. I notice that when they flash her pictures, Renee really does have a great body of work this season!

The final two girls arrive at their Seventeen photo shoot and meet up with Carissa Rosenberg. She says that this could be the defining moment of their time on the show and then shows them a pink hoodie that they will have to showcase. Jaslene can’t believe that she is there and that if Natasha wins, she’ll be forced to pull out all of her hair. I’d pay to see it!

Natasha goes first and says she is doing this for not only herself, but for her baby, then adds that she’ll be happy, and babies want happy women to raise them. Does that make sense? Jaslene is having her shoot as well and looks amazing. The hoodie looks great with her hair. This segment didn’t last too long!

Next, the girls meet up with Tyra and Natasha is first. She tells Tyra about her life in Russia and how should couldn’t go to school and sometimes had nothing to even eat. Throughout the competition, she has been concerned with how the girls saw her since she wanted to be friends with everyone. She never felt like they were against her though, even though she is from Russia. America is the melting pot, and she considers herself an American.

Jaslene talks with Tyra about how she missed Cycle 7. Jaslene says that she knew she had to believe in herself more to make others believe in her, so she built her character to satisfy herself. This is her second chance, and I’m realizing how much I really do love Jaslene and want her to win. She hugs Tyra and away they go!

Later, the girls meet up with Jay Manuel and he tells them about the final runway show, and to show us how the runway works, it’s J. Alexander! CariDee will be leading the show, and it will be as an early cave woman.

The girls get ready in the back and Jaslene says that she won’t let Natasha get to her. Natasha comments that she is different than Jaslene because Jaslene is fierce, but she is more fun and has the personality.

Later that night, the guests arrive for the fashion show and Tyra greets the girls backstage. She gives them words of advice of course, and wishes them luck before the show, promising the crowd something special.